UEFA Champions Festival in Lisbon Draws to a Close with Impressive Figures

The 2014 edition of the UEFA Champions Festival closed yesterday following four days of free football-related activities.

Tens of thousands of fans flocked to the festival in Praça do Comercio, Lisbon’s historic square. Highlights included the world premiere of the UEFA Champions League film, a stunning performance by Orquestra Geração and the Ultimate Champions Match, when a side featuring Portuguese and Brazilian legends came up against the UEFA All-Stars team.

23-year-old David Pereira from Lisbon won a UEFA.com competition to join the UEFA All-Stars lineup as a goalkeeper. Fans had previously been invited to send in short video clips, with Vítor Baía and Peter Schmeichel deciding who would be the best choice to don a pair of gloves for the game.

The major attractions at the festival site proved to be the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Women’s Champions League trophies. The two pieces of silverware were brought to Praça do Comercio by an 80-man military band playing the UEFA Champions League anthem, during the festival opening on Thursday 22 May. Over the four days, thousands of fans queued up to have their picture taken with the trophies of the most iconic competitions in world club football.

A number of former players acting as UEFA ambassadors also attended the festival, taking part in skills clinics with young players, signing autographs for fans, replying to fans’ questions on UEFA Facebook Q&A sessions, and engaging in UEFA Champions League sponsor activities. Among them were Steve McManaman, Pedrag MijatoviÄ‡, Christian Karembeu, Cafu, Nani, Deco, Rúben Amorim and Youri Djorkaeff.

Earlier in the week, and with former UEFA Champions League winner Maniche in attendance, UEFA presented a new maxi-pitch to the city of Lisbon, to be used by the local community for grassroots football activities.

The UEFA Champions Festival takes place in the host city of the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Women’s Champions League finals. The first edition was held in Paris in 2006. More information on www.uefa.com